Civil & family cases
Investigation solutions tailored to each personal situation, respecting the law and everyone's right to privacy.
Facing a divorce, a disappearance or a family dispute, individuals don't always get the same support as in a criminal case: no public service investigates on their behalf. Yet every citizen has the right to assert their interests with admissible evidence. That's the role of a private investigator: to gather, within a strict legal framework — French law no. 83-629 of 12 July 1983, which regulates the profession, and the professional code of conduct for private investigators — the elements a lawyer or judge needs to rule with full knowledge of the facts.
Every investigation report we produce can be submitted to the family court, the civil court or the employment tribunal, provided it was obtained fairly, without entrapment or a disproportionate breach of privacy — which is exactly why it matters to use a CNAPS-licensed professional rather than an unauthorised third party.
Why hire a private investigator
- A report written to meet the rules of admissibility in court, ready for your lawyer to use
- Evidence obtained fairly — unlike footage or surveillance carried out with no legal framework, which can be thrown out of proceedings
- Discreet, confidential support, from the very first phone call
- A CNAPS-licensed team, never a single investigator operating with no legal framework
How the investigation works
- Initial confidential discussionyou explain your situation, we assess feasibility and the legal framework
- Detailed quoteresources involved, estimated duration, transparent cost before any work begins
- Fieldworksurveillance or research, carried out discreetly
- Investigation reportdelivered in person, ready to pass on to your lawyer or directly to the court
What we handle
Locating missing persons
We locate a relative you've lost contact with — a parent, an adult child, a childhood friend, a debtor — or someone who has moved without leaving an address.
The search is conducted with strict respect for the located person's privacy: in line with our profession's code of conduct, we never disclose their address without their explicit consent, and we inform them of the request made about them before passing any details on to our client.
Adultery
French law imposes a duty of fidelity between spouses (Article 212 of the Civil Code). Breaching it can constitute fault under Article 242 of the Civil Code and support a fault-based divorce, with possible consequences for compensatory allowances or damages.
We produce a detailed investigation report — dates, locations, observed conduct — admissible before the family court, unlike amateur "evidence" (intercepted messages, improvised surveillance) which can be dismissed by the court or even backfire on the person who gathered it.
Marital desertion
Spouses are required to live together (Article 215 of the Civil Code). An unjustified, unilateral departure from the family home can amount to a breach of this obligation and weigh on a divorce case or on interim measures.
We establish the exact circumstances of the departure — date, new address where applicable, current living situation — to provide objective facts in a situation the other party often disputes.
Child custody
Parental authority is exercised in the child's best interest (Articles 371-1 and 373-2 of the Civil Code), which remains the family court's central criterion when deciding residence and visiting rights.
We document the child's actual living conditions with each parent — home environment, compliance with custody schedules, presence of third parties — to support a request to change residence or visiting rights.
Reviewing compensatory allowances
A compensatory allowance, set based on each party's resources and needs (Articles 270 to 281 of the Civil Code), can be revised if either party's situation changes significantly (Article 276-3 of the Civil Code).
We gather objective evidence about an ex-spouse's actual professional, financial or lifestyle situation (a new job, cohabitation, a lifestyle inconsistent with declared income) to support a request to revise, suspend or end the allowance.
Pre-marital background checks
Before marriage, a civil partnership, or a joint financial commitment, it's entirely reasonable to want to verify your future partner's actual situation: professional and financial standing, any previous relationship, or ongoing legal proceedings.
This discreet check, strictly governed by our code of professional conduct, is never intended to cause harm — only to help you make an important life decision with full knowledge of the facts.
Protecting minors and vulnerable people
A parent holding parental authority may reasonably worry about their minor child's associates, activities or environment — particularly if there's suspicion of coercive control, danger, or risky behaviour from a third party.
We also act to protect vulnerable adults (an elderly person under guardianship, or someone in a dependent situation) exposed to an identified risk — abuse, exploitation, or isolation engineered by a third party — coordinating where needed with the family or the court-appointed guardian.
Frequently asked questions
Is a private investigator's report admissible before a family court?
Yes, provided it was obtained fairly, without entrapment or a disproportionate breach of privacy, by an investigator licensed by CNAPS. That's exactly the framework we operate within.
How much does an investigation into adultery or child custody cost?
Pricing depends on the time and resources involved: our packages for individuals range from €250 for locating a person to €1,000 for a full day of surveillance. See our detailed rate card.
Can a private investigator plant a GPS tracker or intercept messages?
No. Fitting a tracking device to a vehicle you do not own, or intercepting private correspondence, are criminal offences under French law. We gather evidence exclusively through direct observation and lawful documentation.
How long does a family investigation take?
This varies widely by situation: locating a person can take a few days, while surveillance for suspected adultery sometimes requires several targeted interventions built around the subject's habits.